How do i become ruthless player.

Region3 said:
Maybe I've misunderstood the OP, but I'm reading it a different way, possibly because it's the way I used to be in matchplay with friends too.

I used to feel that I didn't want to be responsible for them not having a good time, and if I battered them that'd be the case.

I bought a book about developing a 'killer instinct'. It more more about life in general but had a section on sports.

I read a few chapters then stopped and haven't picked it up again since, because a more apt title for the book could have been "how to be an arse and not care about anyone else".

I did pick up something from it though, and have adapted my attitude partly due to that and partly from conversations with others and stuff read on the internet.

Think about it more like you want them to be impressed with your game, and (this is the bit from the book) make them not look forward to playing you if you get drawn together in a club knockout. Not in a "don't want to spend time with you" sort of way, but a "don't fancy my chances against you" way.

If you're 4 up, try to get 5 up. If you're 5 down with 6 to play, they won't think they have the upper hand next time if you take them to 17 or 18.

The final straw for me was losing to a guy that thought he had no chance against me. He was right (or should have been), but I lost to him partly through trying to help him feel more positive (like he was my partner - I know I'm an idiot) and partly through me not trying to kill the match off as quickly as I could. ie. if I had a 6' putt for the win I'd be happy with 2 for the half, that sort of thing.

All I ended up doing was losing a match I should have won, and making the guy think I wasn't as good as he previously thought I was. Lose-lose.

Show them how good you are, that they want to avoid you in the matchplay draw, but that you're great to spend a few hours with on the course if they draw you in a medal.
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Great post, I'm going to adopt this in an attempt to move away from quiet, unassuming, shy, introvert nature and man up a bit..
 
Curls said:
Definitely subscribe to the "if you're 3 up get to 4 up" mentality.
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I played a guy in a club knockout last year, he was (apparently) a pretty good player off his handicap and turned up looking like a pro.
Felt a bit intimidated but I found myself 6 up after 6.
Started feeling a bit sorry for him, and subconsciously "eased off the gas" a little.
He got it back to 2 at one point and I thought I was going to throw it all away but managed to hold on and secure a 3&2 win.
That taught me a valuable lesson.
 
Doh said:
We have a completely ruthless player at our place very few like him. Its not the way I would want to be.
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There is a huge difference between being ruthless in sport, and just being a knob.

You don't have to be bad company to do your very best to win, although some people unfortunately are.
 
Region3 said:
There is a huge difference between being ruthless in sport, and just being a knob.

You don't have to be bad company to do your very best to win, although some people unfortunately are.
Click to expand...

Away from golf, but a good example is Usain Bolt. Is the best, knows he is the best, will tell you he is the best, but his personality and attitude makes him one of the most like-able sportsmen around.
 
I had this issue and developed an interesting approach that may just work for the OP. The night before the round I drink 4-5 ltrs of water and wash down a large hot curry. Then before I go to bed and then on the morning of the match, another 2-3 ltrs, this time with 3 bowls of alpen or all bran. I then take a 2 ltr bottle with me in the car and make sure I have drunk that by the time I'm on the first tee. At no stage do I visit the toilet.

Once out on the course you will soon get this determined and resolute need to get the game done with at the earliest opportunity.

See, simples. :whoo:
 
So in essence - grow a tache, become a knob, do the haka and eat a vindaloo with a horse laxative side-salad.

I'd wear a cuban heel as well, to make you look taller.:thup:
 
I always find that being quiet helps focus the mind and doesn't lead to getting distracted. Pleanty of time to socialise after the match and certainly don't want to be rude but just focus on your game and don't get distracted.

As fas as matchplay is concerned you have to play the situation rather than the course.
 
mikejohnchapman said:
I always find that being quiet helps focus the mind and doesn't lead to getting distracted. Pleanty of time to socialise after the match and certainly don't want to be rude but just focus on your game and don't get distracted.

As fas as matchplay is concerned you have to play the situation rather than the course.
Click to expand...

And Shorts
 
I think they only thing the OP is doing wrong is being unable to separate practice from these matches. He says himself when it counts he has no issue getting the game-face on:

It’s there in the opening post “...but in the practice rounds leading up to these which are usually either scratch singles matches or scratch 4 somes matches I just can't seem to get my game face on”

Does he think he’s practicing playing a match – if so its failed in its purpose because he thinks it’s just practice and no more than that

Clearly there’s nothing at stake in these ‘practice matches’ otherwise it wouldn’t be viewed as practice. If it’s a match there needs to be something on the line rather than just a result

If there is anything at stake then its too small to matter or not challenging enough for the OP (poor from the team coach/captain)
 
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